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Mocking: Sylvester Williams

If the Bucs still own the No. 13 overall pick come next Thursday, and if they don’t see a cornerback on the board they like at that investment, then it’s likely the Bucs would nab a defensive lineman.

One guy allegedly climbing up draft boards is DT Sylvester Williams out of North Carolina. Of course, what adds intrigue to Williams is the fact Greg Schiano senior operative/advisor Butch Davis recruited Williams to Tar Heel country out of the junior college ranks.

Williams, at 6-3, 313, is like a bigger version of Brian Price. But he’s a bit of a bizarre prospect, having only played one year of high school ball and turning 25 years old in November.

Here’s what NFL.com has on Williams:

STRENGTHS

Wide body nose tackle with an unexpected bit of quickness off the snap. Has girth through the middle that makes him tough to move when he looks to anchor. Keeps his eyes in the backfield and locates the ball well (and will sniff out the occasional screen). Uses strong hands and upper body to rip past and push aside lesser linemen. Good flexibility and balance, showing the ability to bend and roll his hips through contact off the ball and keep a wide base to anchor against base blocks and doubles. Violent tackler, will throw ball carriers to the ground. Has enough short-area quickness to charge through the A-gap off the snap. Spins off blocks when moving forward to threaten hesitating quarterbacks or get a hand on running backs in the backfield. Can two-gap, moves to either side of his man to corral backs coming between the tackles. Shows good leverage, pad level, and hand quickness to split double teams. When fresh, he will chase a bit more than most players his size against the run as well as give a second effort if his initial pass rush move fails.

WEAKNESSES

Lacks closing speed to get a lot of sacks or make plays outside the box. Overly reliant on the swim move. Does not bull linemen backwards very often, won’t out-quick NFL guards. Flashes quickness off the snap, but gets stuck on blocks too often when tired, and loses ability to get to the ball even if able to disengage. Can get low and create a pile on the goal line, but gets pushed back when playing high in other short-yardage situations. Doesn’t have the athleticism to stop his momentum. Will run himself too far upfield and miss sacks and tackles when he can’t stop himself and break down. Turns 24 during the 2012 season.

Joe’s biggest question on any potential defensive tackle pick is whether the guy would be able to play the 3-technique successfully if Gerald McCoy was injured. One would think Williams has the physical tools to play the position.

Joe, though, doubts Greg Schiano would want to invest in a nose tackle after waving goodbye to Roy Miller, a guy he said was “custom-built” for the position.

His weaknesses take too much away from his strengths to be an automatic starter at the NFL level. He’s not worth the 13th pick, maybe a late 1st rounder.

If Dominik selected him, the pressure to start him would be overwhelming considering where he was chosen in the draft, even if he’s not the best DT on the team. If the Bucs didn’t start him, you would start hearing little birdies claiming that he’s a bust and would blame it on Dominik.

Mike J, I personally would love to see two McCoys on the line. Where our defense has been best was when we had people penetrating up the middle, thus causing disruptions on running plays, as well as timing of passing plays. My first choice at #13 (outside of Milliner if he fell) would be Floyd, Star, or Richardson, as they can all three get into the backfield. Two DTs in the face of QBs an RBs would be a nightmare to opposing teams.

Sylvester would seem to be a big gamble at #13. It doesn’t appear to be a position the Bucs put a premium on either. I don’t see them drafting a DT in the first round unless they believe the player can offer much more than Roy Miller offered. To my knowledge, Schiano’s defense requires the slanted nose tackle to tie up blockers for McCoy and the linebackers to make plays and stuff the run. This is what Miller was good at and they let him walk. Maybe the philosophy asks for the nose tackle to collapse the pocket and rush the passer like McCoy. Hmm.